New Delhi : Another day of disappointment unfolded for Indian cricket fans as Rohit Sharma and his team suffered a disheartening defeat against Australia in the final of the World Test Championship. The loss in this high-stakes encounter further extends India’s unfortunate streak in ICC tournaments since their glorious triumph in the 2013 Champions Trophy.
Despite consistently reaching the knockout stages in subsequent tournaments, India has been unable to replicate their earlier success. Hopes were high that the bitter memories of the 2021 World Test Championship final loss would be forgotten as the Indian team embarked on a new journey in 2022 under the leadership of Rohit Sharma and the guidance of coach Rahul Dravid.
Rohit Sharma assumed the captaincy across all three formats, taking over from Virat Kohli, while the appointment of Rahul Dravid as the head coach was expected to bring a winning mentality and a sense of calmness to the squad. The stage was set for India to showcase their mettle in the upcoming tournaments, including the Asia Cup 2022 and the T20 World Cup in Australia, with the aim of overcoming past disappointments and returning with silverware.
However, the Asia Cup campaign started on a positive note with a thrilling victory over Pakistan, followed by another win against Hong Kong, securing India’s position at the top of the group. Regrettably, the Super 4 stages saw a reversal of fortunes as Pakistan avenged their earlier defeat, and Sri Lanka further dashed India’s hopes by defeating them, denying their entry into the final. These results exposed the persistent issues of finding the right combination and lacking specialists for the T20 format, which had plagued the Indian team throughout the Asia Cup.
The same challenges persisted as India entered the T20 World Cup. While they began their campaign with an exhilarating victory over Pakistan, the subsequent match against South Africa served as a wake-up call, highlighting the vulnerabilities in the team. Despite securing a spot in the semi-finals by defeating Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in the Super 12 stages, India’s journey came to an abrupt end as they suffered a comprehensive 10-wicket defeat against England in the semi-final.
The focus then shifted to Test cricket, and India’s series victory against Bangladesh raised hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship final. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia presented the ultimate challenge. The Indian team showed promise in the first two Tests, but Australia fought back in the remaining games. Despite individual performances from players like Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and Mohammed Shami, India ultimately fell short, with Australia claiming the title.
The defeat in the World Test Championship final has reignited the analysis of India’s performance, not only in that match but also throughout their journey since the Asia Cup. It has become evident that India needs to address recurring issues and rectify their shortcomings. With the upcoming tour of West Indies, it becomes crucial for the team to regroup, learn from their mistakes, and work towards improving their performance.
The quest for the title in the ODI World Cup 2023, to be held in India, now appears to be a more challenging task for the Indian team. Rectifying their weaknesses and regaining their winning momentum will be essential to replicate the magic of the 2011 World Cup triumph on home soil. It is a time for introspection, strategic planning, and a collective effort from the team, management, and support staff to overcome the disappointments of the past and strive for success in the future.
